Pages

Thursday

5 ways to show personality on your blog

When I started this blog, I had absolutely no personality. It was so bland and boring. Here's a true extract for you:It's that time of the year again: Spring Couture time. I love the spring collections. In the depths of winter, when it's at that horrible time after Christmas yet only getting colder, it's so exciting to gaze at the fresh, breezy collections in awe.Excrutiating! Then, around July, I had an epiphany. I realised that I wasn't showing my true personality. I was portraying myself as this sane, calm person when actually the truth couldn't be more different! From then on, I let myself go. I unleashed my true self on to the internet and, you know what, my blog became a much better place because of it!I know it's difficult to get the hang of showing your personality online so I've compiled a list of 5 tips. This is how I did it so I hope it works for you too!1. PhotosImagine you're at a party. Your best friend points your own camera at you. How do you pose? For me, it would be something like this:

Obviously, you don't need to take this literally but use it as a starting point. If you don't give a simmering pout in your real life, why would you do it in your virtual life? Perhaps tone it down a little (or not!) but do consider how to incorporate your go-to poses into your blog. This is the end result for me:

2. Writing style

Look at these two statements. Which is the more engaging?1. If you're in the area, it's strongly recommended that you pay a visit to the gallery. Featuring artworks from both British and international artists, the exhibition is an exploration of light and shadow, incorporating interactive aspects for the viewer to engage with.2. Since I was in the area, I decided to pop into the gallery. There was an amazing exhibition exploring light and shadow. The best part was that all of the exhibits were interactive so I could become part of the art myself. It was so much fun! Seriously, if you're heading this way any time soon, make sure you pay a visit! Hopefully, you agree that the second is the more interesting. It's written in the active voice, first person, using informal language and colloquialisms. It sounds like you're chatting to a friend, rather than reading work by a journalist.The way I write is to just type without thinking about the language I'm using. This tends to result in me using my standard voice- I type exactly as I speak. If you find this tricky, try talking out loud. Imagine you're telling your best friend about your day out/ new outfit/ hair advice. What language would you use? Include slang and your own catchphrases (mine is "pretty much"). A word of warning: Try not to alienate your readers. Make sure that what you're writing is still accessible. As much as I would love to write my dialect phonetically Trainspotting-stylee, it would end up like this:"So I wen' Nando's 'cause I was well 'ungry and ah jus' 'ad this, like, real cravin' f'r chicken. You know wha' ah mean? Like, when you jus' don' wan' anythin ovah than chicken. We've only jus' go' a Nando's down ar ends. I know, men'al, inni'!" Not only would that be practically impossible to decode, but you'd all realise just how council trash I am and we don't want to give away my secret persona! 3. Lifestyle posts

Lifestyle posts are one of the easiest ways to show a glimpse into your real life. Whether it's a day at the shops, a trip to the farm or just hanging out with your family, you're bound to capture yourself with your guard down. I take my camera with me everywhere I go. You never know when you might spot the perfect photo opportunity!4. Off-the-cuff

Planning ahead is all well and good. We already know that I'm a huge advocate of planning. However, sometimes you might want to write without agenda: Without thinking ahead or really thinking at all. Let it all pour out: You might be surprised at what you come up with! 5. Social mediaSocial media is the simplest way to broadcast your true personality. I find Twitter and Instagram are particularly useful for showing off who I actually am. I can jot down whatever pops into my head, take snaps of what I'm doing and invite my readers into my world. Just be careful that you don't get carried away: It's easy to lose professionalism on Twitter so don't get involved in any spats!Well, I hope that helps! I'd love to hear any more tips that you have!

I love this! You're always so personable in your posts and it's always best when bloggers are more... real. I'm having a hard time keeping up with social mediums myself, but definietly working on that! Keep doing what your adorable self is doing! :)

I liked this post! Really helpful. Interestingly though, I always find lifestyle posts more difficult to write up for some reason as I'm not just writing about my day rather than a specific outfit/subject I think..

Letting my personality shine through my blog is something I am striving to do more and more. Had a little giggle at your "phonetic dialect" example! Mine would be soooo bloody Aussie with everything shortened and barely any words spelt properly (which sounds like propley when I say it!) xx

I love this post, when I write posts quite often it is just my thoughts spilling straight out and I now realise that its ok to do that as it reflects the real me. I often buy something new and think ooh that would make a good blog post!!! I also agree about Twitter I have seen some terrible spats which have really made me cringe!!! xx

these are great tips, thank you!! sometimes i def find it hard to show my true personality in my writing but i certainly think i've improved. and i def agree w/ the social media... i look like a cat addict lameo and that would be accurate haha. love your party pic and the lifestyle posts are a great idea too! Cuddly CactiMitla Moda

I love this post! This was one of only a handful "improve your blog" posts I've ever read that actually had anything HELPFUL or remotely ORIGINAL to say!!! Also your burger picture is amazing and I love your excited wand face!!!